The Dark Society

64

Sabrina had suffered from conflicting feelings all day because Luis' sudden arrival had complicated everything. More importantly, he'd come to America amid her insistence to stay away. (Another notion she wasn't expecting). Nevertheless, Sabrina proceeded to Saint Anthony's fearful of a diminishing relationship.

Meanwhile, Jennifer had settled in Webb Place and wanted to make plans. But, regardless of her elation she viewed the unexpected invitation as peculiar.

Summer was coming after all and Sabrina's class calendar was filled, so the chances of reuniting with Jennifer were unlikely. No matter what happens, tonight was about faith and the revival of the coven, so Sabrina entered Saint Anthony's prepared to commit.

"Come, everyone's waiting." Michelle advised.

Raina soon arrived.

"I'm glad you made it."

Everyone accessed a basilica embellished with brilliant crimson flares: a setting that exhibited a unique correlation between light and shadow. Concurrently, as Sabrina regarded the grandeur Raina organized relics while quoting foreign verbiage and other unfamiliar dialects.

(Uncommon for a renewed tenet in theology). Michelle seized a hand suddenly and together she and Sabrina toured a restricted section of the temple: the mausoleum. It was then Sabrina remembered the horrors of her most recent vision.

"It was me." she mumbled while gazing into her palms.

"What is it?" Raina inquired.

Sabrina twisted.

"An extinction of life."

Raina and Michelle recoiled instantly as Rachelle, Denise and Kim arrived.

"In that case, we institute a season of remembrance." Denise characterized while flaming chrome-plated lanterns.

Sabrina stared in awe as Aphrodite arose from the shadows.

"How'd she get here?" she demanded.

"The goddess called and you answered." Denise confirmed.

Sabrina soon noticed an altar adorned with black and ruby tapers and silk ivory valances. But more importantly, various familiar psalms lay prominently on the podium. It's known that Raina often utilized such displays when presiding over a sacrament, so as the edgings fell her intentions became clear.

"The Greek goddess Gaia -- Goddess of the Earth and prophecy..." Raina began. "Also known as the primordial mother and personification of Earth..."

"The Hindu Goddess Sarsawati -- The Goddess of knowledge, language and the arts..."

"The Greek Goddess Themis -- Goddess of divine justice, order and customs..."

"And finally..." she concluded while caressing the last statue.

"The Celtic Goddess Arianhod -- Goddess of fertility, rebirth and fate."

Raina advanced.

"Every witch binds with a goddess and Aphrodite is yours."

"I know..." Sabrina acknowledged. "Somehow, I've always known."

Raina nodded.

"First, assimilate the goddess' consciousness..." she explained, "Then exert her strengths."

"I can't." Sabrina retorted.

Raina simpered.

"At first, it seems impossible..." she continued. "But, once we integrate your power it won't be."

Raina unveiled a rare Athame in the wake and pierced her fingertip. Next, as the droplets trickled into a chalice she approached Rachelle and dispensed the sacred blade. She'd repeat the decree and then center on Denise where following her offering she presented the chalice to Sabrina.

After savoring the grails contents Sabrina cleared her margins and inherited a lifetime of the coven's illustrious experiences; each inclination - a unique and relevant narrative.

Sometime thereafter, while she revered in Aphrodite's mystique a petite effigy of the goddess Hecate surfaced. Sabrina instinctively concealed the statue and never spoke of it since finding it wasn't an oversight and she knew it.